Senator Blumenthal Clarifies Vietnam Service Record After Admitting Misstatement
Senator Blumenthal admitted misspeaking about Vietnam service, clarifying he served in the Marine Corps Reserve during the war but never saw active duty.
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Overview
- Senator Blumenthal publicly admitted to misspeaking regarding his military service during the Vietnam War, addressing previous inaccuracies in his statements.
- He clarified that he served in the Marine Corps Reserve throughout the Vietnam War period, providing specific details about his actual involvement.
- Blumenthal explicitly stated that he never went on active duty in Vietnam, correcting the impression that he had served in the conflict zone.
- The clarification comes amidst past claims and public scrutiny regarding his military record, including allegations of receiving deferments to avoid active combat.
- This admission aims to set the record straight on his service, distinguishing between his reserve duty and direct combat participation during the Vietnam era.
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FAQ
Senator Blumenthal served in the Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1976 but never saw active duty or served in Vietnam itself. He attained the rank of sergeant and was stationed in Washington, D.C., and Connecticut.
Blumenthal faced controversy because he had at times said he 'served in Vietnam,' which was inaccurate since he served stateside in the Marine Corps Reserve. This led to accusations that he misrepresented his military record during political campaigns.
Veterans' organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, demanded that Blumenthal apologize for implying he was a Vietnam veteran, as only those who served in Vietnam or its neighboring areas should claim that status.
Yes, Blumenthal received five draft deferments during the Vietnam War—first for education and later based on his occupation before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve, which largely ensured he would not be sent to Vietnam.
Blumenthal admitted to misspeaking about his service, clarifying he served 'during Vietnam' rather than 'in Vietnam,' and stated the errors were unintentional. He apologized for remarks that were 'not clear or precise,' aiming to set the record straight.
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